POLICE say groups set up to tackle issues affecting local communities are a success.

The increased use of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, more activities for youngsters and environmental improvements such as better lighting are just a few of the achievements shouted about by the area's Community Safety Action Groups (CSAG).

The groups consist of Vale Royal Borough Council representatives, the police, Vale Royal Community Safety Partnership, Vale Royal Community Safety Wardens, Weaver Vale Housing Trust, community representatives and local councillors. Every month, members meet to talk about tackling problem areas.

Kingsley was the first area to benefit from a CSAG in 2002, and there are now two more up and running - Rudheath and Weaverham. Northwich and Winsford are also targeted.

PC Pete White, who works alongside the Weaverham team, said: 'The meetings aren't just about sitting around talking. We take responsibility of issues and have a duty to resolve them.

'We get out to look for physical signs of disorder such as graffiti, litter, noise nuisance, groups of youths. This combined approach means we get a good idea of what's going on.'

Some issues tackled include anti-social behaviour on play area facilities in Kingsley, improvement to areas of poor environmental maintenance and the identification of more youth activities in Weaverham, efforts in Winsford include dealing with perpetrators of anti-social behaviour, tackling nuisance bonfires and making environmental improvements, while in North-wich the group tackles youth nuisance around off-licences, the supply of alcohol, and dealing with off-road motorcycles.

The groups record signs of social and physical disorder and survey residents. Top priorities are selected and the agencies involved take responsibility for issues identified. Once these problems have been solved, new priorities are set. After three months the team get back on the streets on fact-finding tours, dubbed Cat Walks.